The Turkish Cookbook: Regional Recipes and Stories [Hardcover]

Nur Ilkin (Author), Sheilah Kaufman (Author), Juliana Spear (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 24, 2010

Turkey has made an enduring contribution to the world's cuisine with its diverse and important gastronomic history and classic--simple yet rich in flavors--recipes. Turkish cuisine is a colorful mosaic, enriched by the recipes and techniques of many ancient cultures--Phoenician, Hittite, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, Chinese, and Greek--and the creativity of the cooks and the geography of the regions they lived in.<P> Inspired by the best of regional cooking, this unique and masterful collection of recipes shares a rediscovery of timeless authentic, healthful, refreshing, and easy-to-prepare Turkish dishes--from classics to lesser known family favorites, and even lost recipes. Written with a zest for food and culture, this book is packed with the delights of Turkey's regions, from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, from Europe to Asia, the Aegean to Anatolia.<P> Using only the healthiest and freshest ingredients--from fresh fruits and yogurt to vegetables, fish, poultry, and meat--the regional recipes are cooked in an infinite variety of ways, with exciting flavor and texture combinations. Eggplant alone can be prepared in more than 40 different ways. In areas where fish, meat or poultry weren't available, cooks created outstanding recipes that utilized grains, pulses, and vegetables. Since Turkish cooking requires no special equipment or unusual ingredients it is generally very easy to prepare.<P> Healthful and tantalizing, simple and delicious, Turkish cuisine is well on its way to becoming the next big trend in cooking as more and more attention is being paid to it as the original Mediterranean diet.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Turkish cooking has grown into one of the hottest contemporary trends in America’s culinary scene. As one might deduce from Turkey’s geographic location, its cooking straddles both Arabic and European traditions. This eye-catching cookbook’s full-color illustrations only enhance the engaging text, which thoughtfully lays out the differences in cooking styles among Turkey’s several regions. Many of the recipes, such as green-lentil pies and various stuffed eggplants and zucchini, will attract vegetarians in particular, but their bold flavors and opulent spicing will give these vegetables the widest possible audience. Meat dishes focus on lamb and beef, with kebabs in the forefront but giving place also to stewed and ground meats. Turkey’s maritime regions offer grilled and baked seafood. Pastry aficionados will immediately recognize the plethora of phyllo-encased meats and vegetables. Recipes call for only a few ingredients not stocked in comprehensive American supermarkets or readily available by mail order. --Mark Knoblauch

Review

'The Turkish Cookbook is a total trove of great ideas - ' Epicurious 'Turkish cuisine is said to be one of four global greats, along with French, Italian and Chinese. It's colorful and healthful: the original Mediterranean diet - So why don't we know it better? ... Nur Ilkin and Sheilah Kaufman have produced a cookbook that might put Turkish food on more tables.' Washington Post --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 350 pages
• Publisher: Interlink Pub Group (June 24, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566567939
• ISBN-13: 978-1566567930
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #474,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > European > Turkish

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent May 7, 2012

By NazarTulip

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

It is an excellent book with extensive background stories and origins of food. Every recipe was divided to the Turkish regions and the pictures were exotic. Tried many of the recipes and they were consistent.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful and knowledgeable October 3, 2011

By David Simon

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a beautiful, knowledgeable and useful book on Turkish cooking; it travels well to the US, where we have enjoyed a number of its excellent recipes. highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars the best cookbook December 17, 2012

By Ayshe Dogramaci

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the best cookbook about Turkish cuisine. Recipes are easily understood and the pictures are beautiful. It makes a wonderful Christmas gift for your friends who like ethnic food. This food is delicious and worth trying. I congratulate Ms. Bilgin for writing such a thoughtful and beautiful book. Don't miss it.